Avita Pro Fide Issue 126

Avita Pro Fide WINTER 2021/2022

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE EDMUNDIAN ASSOCIATION No.126

A visit from the Cardinal

We welcomed our President, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, to the College. Find out more inside.

100 Years Ago A look back to 1922, when the College entered a period of expansion, and a number of significant changes were made to the buildings.

OE News The latest news from our OEs

Volunteering project for the Imperial War Museum The War Memorials Register is a comprehensive national register of over 90,000 UK memorials

News from the College Keeping you up-to-date with the latest news and developments from the College

+ 40 year reunion + Life after the College + St Edmund’s Sunday + much more...

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Avita Pro Fide Autumn/Winter 2019

A message from our Headmaster On 20th March 2020 we found ourselves saying farewell to Rhetoric Two three months earlier than expected and with almost no notice.

Lockdown had been declared, A Levels cancelled and their Edmundian career was over with no time for fond farewells, final prizes or leavers’ parties. In my hastily written farewell speech I said that all was not lost, as all the indications were that we would be back to normal in about twelve weeks. I do not think any of us had any inkling of the scale of what was about to unfold.

the entrance exam for 96 places in next year’s Elements. Academically we are stronger than ever. There has been a tsunami of music and drama as restrictions were gradually lifted and sport has taken on a whole new lease of life. Weather permitting, this coming Saturday’s block fixtures against Wellingborough and Queenswood will see nineteen fixtures taking place simultaneously – a record in anyone’s memory here.

Two years on, our current Rhetoric Two are the class whose GCSEs were cancelled that year. As I write they are just emerging from their mock A Level examinations, and for most this was their first experience of sitting formal exams in the Douay Hall.

And what is more, we are once again open to visitors, so please come and see us. St Edmund’s Sunday is back, and it was a joy to welcome so many of you to this in November. Please do put it in your diary for next year, along with the other Edmundian reunions and events which are now very much back on the agenda.

But they have coped remarkably well. And the whole community has coped remarkably well. There have been tough times, painful losses, moments of despair and mental scars which will take time to heal. And yet there has also been a heart-warming feeling of togetherness, determination, a reawakening to the important things in life and, as we finally emerge, a tangible feeling of joy and great excitement for the future.

And finally, I know that you would want to join me in thanking Patsy Collison OE for her tremendous enthusiasm and energy as Alumni Officer for the last two years. We will miss her to bits and wish her every happiness and success as she moves on to a new job in London. We look forward to welcoming her successor, Nikki King, soon.

And in spite of everything, Edmundia is in great shape. Pupil numbers across the College and Prep rose from 833 in July to 898 in September, and we are bursting at the seams. As I write, 230 pupils have just sat

With every best wish from all of us here at your Alma Mater, Avita Pro Fide.

Matthew Mostyn, HEADMASTER

Donating PPE With a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), the community responded to urgent calls for help from the NHS. At St Edmund’s College, we were pleased to put our safety glasses to use by donating them to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.

London Dinner - 3rd March 2022 This year's annual London Dinner will take place at the beautiful location of Innholders Hall in the City of London.

This historical building is the home of hospitality in the City, with a reputation for fine food and wine. The Innholders' are one of approximately 100 liveries in the square mile, which are formed under licence of the crown, to regulate their crafts, trades and services.

We were very proud of Harry Jordan, then Rhetoric I, now OE, who used his design and technology talents over lockdown to create PPE kit for local NHS workers and to create visors for our teachers to use in school. Harry also designed a “hangie” which is a device used to hold onto rails while using public transport, without having to actually touch the rail. Harry was subsequently been awarded the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Award.

The fantastic menu will be provided by Herbert Berger, three times winner of the coveted Michelin Star, so you are sure to be in for a treat! The evening will commence at 18.30 with a reception drink, followed by a three-course meal, coffee and petit fours. Half a bottle of house wine and water for the table is also included.

This event would usually cost over £100pp, however, the cost has been very generously subsidised by the Association, with ticket prices now at: Full Price £35.00 Under 26: £25.00 Full-time education*: FREE Spaces for this wonderful event are very limited, so early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. To register, please visit our website at www.stedmundscollegealumni.org/events or alternatively you can email alumni@stedmundscollege.org.

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Avita Pro Fide Winter 2022

@StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

@StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

@StEdmundsWare and @StEdmundsPrep

Welcome to the latest Edition of Avita Pro Fide!

We are delighted to bring to you Avita Pro Fide for the first time since the pandemic began!

While we haven’t been able to meet since our last edition (with the exception of St Edmund’s Sunday 2021), life has continued here at St Edmund’s College and Prep – albeit a little differently.

A visit from the Cardinal We were delighted to welcome His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, our President, on Wednesday 29th September to celebrate the 453rd anniversary of our founding in Douai, France.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols led a whole-school Mass in our Pugin Chapel, meeting many of our students from both the Prep and the College, before joining us to unveil the portrait created to commemorate the visit.

Following the Mass, at afternoon tea, the Cardinal unveiled a new portrait which is to be hung with other portraits of our Presidents. The Cardinal is currently the 25th President of the College.

Mr Matthew Mostyn, Headmaster, commented: ‘‘It was a joy to welcome our President, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, to the College. That he was willing and able to find time in his very busy schedule to say Mass for us, spend time with us, and to meet with so many pupils of all ages, was enormously appreciated, and we look forward to welcoming him back again soon.”

We are delivering this issue to bring you up to date with events at the College and Prep since the pandemic began, and to invite you to share your news and ignite our Old Edmundian community once again.

We would like to thank Mr David Kay, President Emeritus and Archivist for The Edmundian Association, for his outstanding contribution to this edition of Avita Pro Fide.

Please do get in contact to bring your news to our next edition.

Avita Pro Fide Alumni Team St Edmund’s College and Prep

Pictured (L-R) Mr John Bryant, Chair of the Prep School Sub-Committee, Mr David Kay, President Emeritus and Archivist for The Edmundian Association, Mr Matthew Mostyn, Headmaster of St Edmund’s College, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, 25th President of St Edmund’s College and Prep, Mr Paul Raynes, Chair of Governors, and Mrs Jane Ranzetta, Deputy Chair of the Full Board and Chair of Academic Sub-Committee.

Donation Thanks We would like to share our immense gratitude to the families of Mr Eugene Hassett and Mr Patrick Nuttgens for donating money to the Edmundian Association following their passing.

Pictured (L-R) Mr Alex Simpson, Head Boy, His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Miss Ogorchukwu Ozor, Head Girl.

The generous donations will be monumental for improving the facilities and opportunities for the current and future students at St Edmund’s College and Prep.

We ask that you please keep Mr Eugene Hassett, Mr Patrick Nuttgens and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Avita Pro Fide.

Pictured (L-R) His Eminence Cardinal Vincent Nichols, with Mr Matthew Mostyn.

The Choir performing in the Cardinal’s Mass, led

by Mr James Woodhall, Director of Music.

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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keeping you up-to-date with the latest

OE News

A few Old Boys met up in December in Bishops Stortford to see Richard 'Dicky' Offer who some of them hadn't seen since leaving in 1986!

Pictured left: L-R Adrian Kimber, Paul Dempsey, Tim O'Neill, Mark King, Kelvin Tan, Mark Ormerod, Richard Offer, Tony Gallagher

It is with great joy that Susannah White (née Routledge, OE 1999-2006) and her husband, Ryan White, announce the birth of their daughter, Rosalind White. Born 22nd October 2021 at BC Women's Hospital in Vancouver, Canada.

Victor Kattan returned to the UK after living overseas for several years, initially in Jerusalem where he was a legal adviser to the UN, and then in Singapore where he worked for the National University of Singapore, first at the School of Law, and then at the Middle East Institute.

During the pandemic, he returned to the UK and is now working at the Faculty of Law at the University of Nottingham.

His wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last September.

Annika Haslett Symonds, OE 1988-1993, was promoted to UK & EMEA Chief Operation Officer and Global Initiatives Leader, Human Capital Solutions at Aon. Congratulations, Annika!

If you have some exciting news, whether it be a wedding or birth announcement, an exciting career move or even an impromptu get together with other OEs we would love to hear about it, please send details through to: Alumni Officer St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Ware, Herts SG11 1DS Telephone: 01920 824358 Email: alumni@stedmundscollege.org

Avita Pro Fide Winter 2022

Due to GDPR, we are unable to contact you unless you have opted in to hear from us, as without permission from you, GDPR rules dictate we must assume you have not agreed to be contacted.

This means that you may have stopped receiving email communication from the College and Prep around the time of 2018. If you would like to receive regular event invitations, digital newsletters and updates, please visit www.stedmundscollegealumni.org or email alumni@stedmundscollege.org We look forward to hearing from you!

We are delighted to hear that Patrick Ethrington, OE 1959-1962, is still working and enjoying practising as a dental surgeon at age 74 in his Fulham practice!

Pictured below: Victor Kattan with fellow OEs at the Champion's Golf Course in Singapore in June. 2018. L-R: Victor Kattan, Konrad Paszkiewicz, Daniel Muller

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Have you opted in?

Vaccinated Dr Tom Gillham, Old Edmundian (OE) 1988-95, vaccinated fellow OE, Mr Mike Wing, on Saturday 9th January 2021 at Peartree Group Practice. Dr Tom Gillham commented that it was “a really lovely experience in this climate of awfulness!”

We are proud of the ways our Edmundian community are contributing to combatting COVID-19.

Are you happy?

We want to check that you are happy to continue receiving the newsletter in the paper format?

If you would rather receive it via an email with a pdf attached, or on the alumni website. Both options are available to you. If you wish to change your options, please do get in touch and let us know. Thank you.

1982 Leavers’ 40-Year Reunion

The Rhetoric leavers of 1982 (Poetry 1980 or equivalent) are holding their 40-year reunion at the College on Sunday 3 July 2022.

To make the reunion as successful as possible, we are hoping to trace and invite as many from our year as we can, in addition to some of the surviving staff from our time.

11.00am 12.30pm 1.00pm 2.30pm 4.00pm

Mass in the College Chapel Group photograph & pre-lunch drinks Lunch Guided tour of the College Afternoon tea

We hope you are able to join us on 3 July. The cost of the event will be £25 per person. You are welcome to bring guests if you wish. We are sure you will find of great interest the many changes to the school which have taken place over the last 40 years.

Please put the date in your diary. We will be contacting 1982 leavers directly with further details nearer the time. In the meantime, if you would like more information, please contact David Kay & Mike Holland at 1982leavers@edmundianassociation.org.uk.

Careers Fair 2022 Can you help?

We are hosting our Careers Fair on Friday 11th March in the afternoon at St Edmund’s College.

Due to the pandemic, students have missed vital opportunities to meet and learn from industry professionals. Therefore, this year, we are ensuring the event is more informative, dynamic and valuable than ever.

Careers Network We were delighted to share an exciting new feature for our alumni community in 2021: The OE Careers Network.

The OE Careers Network offers networking, job opportunities and a mentoring programme, allowing you to both find a mentor or give your time to an OE aspiring to be in your industry.

As a community, we are fortunate to have many talented, ambitious and dynamic alumni. Therefore, this network will support all OEs in their professional development, from those just starting their careers to those looking to connect, develop, and inspire.

We are looking for representatives from all industries; whether you are a pilot, a lawyer, an analyst, a marketing professional, a beautician, an architect, a medical professional, a banker, a salesperson, a programmer, an arborist, a dog trainer... whatever you do, our students are interested!

If you are willing to give up your afternoon at St Edmund's or know someone that is, please contact Mr Bradley Snell, Head of Careers, via bsnell@stedmundscollege.org.

We very much appreciate your support and engagement.

The Careers feature is available on our alumni network, which you can join by visiting: www.stedmundscollegealumni.org.

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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Life

after the

College...

Name: Peter Nicholson Title while at St Hugh’s: Housemaster (from 1981) When were you at St Hugh’s: 1974 - 1988

How did you come to work at St Hugh’s?

Applied in my BEd year at St Mary’s College of Education, Strawberry Hill through the Catholic Appointments Board at the College. Interviewed by outgoing Head of St Hugh’s, Captain Patrick Foort, who was looking for a replacement for Mr Simon Newell who taught general subjects in Forms 1-3 and was Assistant to Fr Tony Potter, who as well as school chaplain was in charge of the Junior Classes i.e. those below Elements in St Hugh’s.

Appointment was ratified by Fr Michael Garvey, Head of the College.

Do you have any lasting memories of your time here?

This was my first teaching appointment and so very much the formative years of my career. Some of the conventions of Boarding School life in the 70s belonged very much to a bygone era, but it provided a huge stimulus to my progression as a teacher. Amongst particular memories:

• In 1981,

• •

marriage to Miss Sarah Moles who had arrived as the Edmundian violin teacher in succession Peter Nicholson to Mrs Margaret Sawyer. Two daughters, Sophie and Alex subsequently born.

Appointed Housemaster of St Hugh’s September 1981 by Fr Garvey.

Originally lived in St Hugh’s Flat and in 1984 moved to Willacy’s adjoined to Junior House.

Also from 1981, continuing to organise the annual Isle of Wight field trips based in Shanklin, started by Mr Sawyer for Form 3 during the Whitsun holidays.

• The length of the school day – classes from 09.00 until 17.35 5 days a week and on Saturday mornings

• Inviting boarders to get up early on weekday mornings for voluntary • • • •

•

mass using the Mass Book – pupils not wishing to be woken early would wrap their ties to the end of their beds Organising games in the Bounds – including Paddle and P.O.W. in the copse.

The annual Christmas Party – and the Alphabet Song as an interhouse competition at the party.

Initially specialising in teaching English and History in Forms 1,2 and 3 and rugby and cricket and for a while C.L. (Christian Life) Becoming Head of Juniors and Tony Hollington Sawyer’s Deputy Housemaster and extending teaching to Elements and Rudiments.

Eventually also teaching Grammar History and for a year A level Medieval Church History Continuing a tradition started by Mr Chris Crowley of production Shakespeare in the St Hugh’s Copse - productions of A Midsummer Night Dream, The Tempest, Julius Caesar and Macbeth using casts from both St Hugh’s and Junior House and subsequently with Mr Duncan Gallie continuing Tony Sawyer’s tradition of Gilbert and Sullivan productions in the Douai Hall.

Form 3 Isle of White Trip - Mr Simon Taylor and Dr Zobel (accompanying parent)

• Worked closely with Fr Michael Pinot in making Junior House and • •

St Hugh’s more of a corporate entity as the Junior School whilst holding on to distinct traditions.

Introduction of coeducation into St Hugh’s alongside that of the College under Donald McEwen Appointed as Head of Loyola Prep School, Buckhurst Hill in October 1987. Left St Hugh’s in April 1988.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

30 years of headship at Loyola up to retirement in 2018 – based on the rock of pre-experience at St Hugh’s If you could go back 40 to your first day at St Hugh’s, is there anything you would change?

Dormitories – in terms of privacy and comfort – especially St Francis.

Do you have any advice for current Edmundians?

You learn to identify how talents can be utilised for service to others… and like both St Edmund and Hugh to stand up for what is right.

G&S rehearsal Douai Hall

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Avita Pro Fide Winter 2022

@StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

@StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

@StEdmundsWare and @StEdmundsPrep

St Edmund’s Sunday 2021 We were finally able to come together within our OE community on 21st November, and what a special occasion it was! We live-streamed the Mass for those unable to join us, but we were delighted by the extraordinary turnout of Edmundians.

We joined together for a wonderful Mass, followed by a drinks reception and unveiling of the new portrait of Fr Pinot.

On this occasion, we were thrilled to be joined by Mr Mike Holland, OE 1975-1982 who commissioned this exceptional portrait.

Following the unveiling, we came together for a sumptuous lunch and gave tours around the College and Prep. We are looking forward to seeing you again next year!

We asked Mike Holland if he would share his experience of Fr Pinot, which he has kindly done below: 1975 doesn’t seem so long ago to the boys who arrived at Junior House that summer, but we’re now nearly fifty years older, perhaps wiser, and we are all certainly grateful for the impact on our lives of Pinot, our Housemaster in Junior House. It would be surprising if there was ever a man, or woman, who had such a direct and positive impact on the lives of so

many individual Edmundians over decades, as Fr Michael Pinot de Moira.

When he died in 2013, the formal obituary for Pinot told the story of a man who spent x years of his life linked to St Edmund’s College – attending the school and seminary from 1944 to 1956, and in various teaching capacities from 1958 to 2013. He continued his duties in the College as Chaplain until his death in 2013, and so saw the transition from the allmale Allen Hall seminary/boarding days to the broad Church School that St Edmund’s represents today. And throughout those stages, it seems that his characteristics of good humour, genuine concern and love for his fellow teachers and pupils shone through.

Away from the formality of the obituary, everyone who knew him would have their own warm memories. For the boys of Junior House in the 70’s it might be a memory of his Study before bedtime, a room which he unselfishly allowed all pupils to access like a mini common room, the shelves stacked with games and books, Pinot squeezed at his desk between two stacks of exercise books waiting to be marked, a room filled to capacity with boys perched on every horizontal surface, floor, seating, desks, all eyes glued to some pre-programmed 1970’s TV programme – the days before VCR, CD’s, cable or Netflix.

And other times, he would absent himself to sit in the corridor with any one of us who needed some additional coaching with our maths, our Latin or French. He was truly dedicated to the boys of Junior House and always had a genuine kind concern and protection for every single one.

Later in the evening, as our Matron Mrs Williams chivvied us all to bed, Fr Pinot would patrol the corridors of our three dormitories

reading his breviary for the day and taking the roll call for the early wake up for Mass the following day and his daily sign off – “Good night Chumps”.

After two years, at the end of Rudiments, we scattered into the six houses of the Senior School. But not one of us will have ever forgotten the impact of Pinot on our early Edmundian days in Junior House.

From left to right standing: Christian St JohnDennis (1975-82), Michael Holland (1975-82), Mark Sweeney (1975-82), Dominic Irwin (197680), Eamon Loughrey (1972-81), Quentin Jayne (1975-80), Grant Branton (1975-82), Chris Witte (1975-82), Paulo Vasconcelos de Almeida (197582), Michael Green (1975-82), Mr Richard Winter (Academic Staff 1970-1995), Simon Furze (197581). From left to right sitting: Mr John Perry (Academic Staff 1973-92), David Kay (1975-82), Fr Michael Pinot de Moira (1944-1956; Academic Staff 1958-2013), Francis Nwokedi (1975-82), Ian Stevens (1975-82), the late Mrs Joanne Stevens (RIP 2020)

Choir Cassocks Thanks to generous donations from the Edmundian Association, the St Edmund’s College Schola Cantorum was able to purchase stunning red cassocks to be worn during Mass and performances.

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Welcome back Mr Mohana to me, was one of the best phases of my teaching career. Despite the new travel regulations and restrictions, It was a very exciting opportunity for me to be back at the College albeit even for a term. I first said yes and then negotiated my teaching responsibilities.

How have you found being at the College during the pandemic?

What have you been up to since leaving the College?

Since leaving the College in July 2019, I went on a short tour meting my old students in Thailand, Hong Kong, and China about which you have read a lot in the previous edition of Avita Pro Fide Newsletter.

I then spent two terms from January 2020 to June 2020 in Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain helping A level and GCSE sets from Mr. Duran's ex School in Vigo prepare for their first ever GCE A level Maths and Further Maths examinations.

In the bargain, I was stuck in a long lockdown period from mid-February to June at home in Vigo doing long sessions of online teaching (which is no substitute for regular classroom face to face contact time with pupils that I love most). The highlight of this stay in Vigo was watching for over three months, the Atlantic ocean every day from a window in my house overlooking a two-Kilometre-long beach .

After spending another six months in Germany during the pandemic, I finally moved back to our home in Bangalore in December 2020. All my plans for post-retirement voluntary work had to be put on hold because of the current Pandemic. However, From January 2021 to July 2021, I was happy to have offered free online help to pupils from a charity-based school in Bangalore who were preparing for their Indian equivalent of the British GCSE examinations in Mathematics.

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I have loved every minute of my second tenure of a short stay at the College. The warmth, friendship and support extended to me by everyone at the College have bowled me over.

It appeared as if everything was back to normal as they were. I felt as if I never left the College.

In my career of fifty years of teaching across the globe in three continents and as many countries, in my humble opinion, I think St Edmund's College is one of the best schools to work with. In a nutshell, it was a short but very sweet come back.

What’s next for you?

My plans are to offer by personal visits, as and when the pandemic situation eases, a voluntary "Maths help programmes" for pupils in rural India.

I also have dreams of recording a series of video lessons in topics from the Pure Mathematics and the Mechanics specifications for "A" level Mathematics and Further Mathematics from various British examination boards. I hope to offer these for free on a web platform as a form of additional support material for pupils across the globe studying the British A level or equivalent courses in these subject areas.

I feel this is a way of thanking the thousands of students I taught in my career for their love and affection that resulted in a very rewarding and satisfying half a century of my life.

Were you excited to come back for a term?

I am aware it is not an easy task, and it may not materialise. However, as it is said, "dreams cost nothing but, are most priceless when one realises them". In addition to these altruistic ambitions, I am hoping to travel to countries on my bucket list as well.

I recall the day Mrs. West sent me a message enquiring whether I would be able to come back to the College and teach for a term during Michaelmas term 2021. I was literally over the moon. Since I left the College on retirement, I missed my life at the College which, according

In conclusion, I wish to invite OE's to get in touch with me on my personal email "mohanasosale1949@hotmail.com" when they visit India. It would be a pleasure to meet them and spend time reminiscing about old times at the College.

Avita Pro Fide Winter 2022

Mr Mohana’s YouTube Channel: I have embarked on a project to offer FREE pre-recorded video lessons on all Pure Mathematics topics as per the A level specifications of the British curriculum.

I have created my own YouTube channel titled "A level Maths: free Advanced level Maths lessons by Sosale Mohana" So far, I have uploaded 28 videos covering about 60% of year 12 work in Pure Mathematics and links to all associated handouts where necessary.

There is more to come as I record lessons on the remaining topics of year 12 Pure Mathematics, then of all the topics in Pure Maths from year 13 and then on to videos on all topics from Further Pure Maths.

All the video lessons and the Handouts are completely free. No payments of any sort are involved.

It is not a replacement to classroom teaching. It is more a revision course to go over what students have learnt in school.

My aim is to share my experience of teaching A level Maths for over 50 years FREELY with students from all over the world, now, and in the future to help them revise and prepare for their A level exams. This is my way of thanking my students in India, Kenya and at St.Edmund's College in the UK who have enriched my career as a teacher.

Please scan the QR code to visit my channel!

We’re looking for a treasurer!

Calling our OEs! We are looking to recruit a Treasurer for the Edmundian Association on a voluntary basis. This position is available remotely if preferred. If you would like to give your time to support our alumni, please apply by contacting our Alumni Office at alumni@stedmundscollege.org

The Galilee Chapel

Looking back to 100 years ago...

Exactly one hundred years ago, in 1922, the College entered a period of expansion, and a number of significant changes were made to the buildings.

The Galilee Chapel The Galilee Chapel was completed. It was the personal gift of Cardinal Francis Bourne and was built as an act of thanksgiving for the College surviving the First World War. It was modelled on the Galilee at Durham Cathedral and was intended to increase significantly the seating capacity of the College Chapel at a time when the school was expanding. The wide oak doors at its eastern end can be opened to expand the Chapel during larger religious occasions. The walls are of Bath stone and the panelled roof is of Columbian pinewood. Cardinal Bourne is himself buried in front of the altar and his cardinal’s hat hangs from the ceiling above. Today the Galilee is also used as an examination hall.

The Refectory The Refectory became the Library when the House system was introduced, and each House had its own dining room. The current Library became the Douglass refectory. The current Talbot common room became the Challoner refectory, and the ground floor IT suite became the Talbot refectory. Pillars were added to strengthen the ceiling of the new Library, as it was beginning to sag, and wooden panelling from the walls was moved to the north wing. This arrangement came to an end with the arrival of the Second World War, and the whole school ate once again together. The Prep School had its own separate dining hall until the 1970s.

The School Block The School Block was built on the site of formal pleasure gardens that had been laid out in the 1850s for the use of the professors. The “New Schools”, better known as the School Block, incorporated new classrooms, a performance hall with stage which could be sub-divided into further classrooms, an armoury, two science laboratories, music practice cells and a shop. Over time further classrooms were converted into laboratories, and by the late 1980s the whole building had become a dedicated science wing. Over three phases between 2013 and 2016, the interior of the Science Block was totally refurbished and modernised.

The Refectory

The School Block

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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Every postcard tells a story...

Chelmsford. There was also another younger sister Irene Clare Noakes who was born on 15 November 1893.

When they were still young, the Noakes siblings lost their father, Henry, who died in November 1906 at the age of 44, by which time the whole family had relocated to Bournemouth on the south coast.

After leaving school, Charles worked as a bank clerk in Bournemouth, and during the First World War he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and served as a wireless operator aboard HMS Blake (pictured below), then later aboard HMS Chieftain, patrolling in the North Sea. Charles and Basil visited the College after the end of the War, and it was reported in The Edmundian that they were planning to take up poultry farming, though this never seemed to come to fruition.

Dear Winnie We had our photos taken the other day in our Latin play dresses. The play is coming off next Saturday.

From your loving brother Charlie …. so wrote a 16-year old Charles Noakes on a postcard depicting the College addressed to Miss Noakes, New Hall, Chelmsford, Essex.

Production of picture postcards blossomed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as they were an easy and quick way for individuals to communicate. Their popularity started to wane after the First World War, with the increased availability of telephones, and their use almost completely ceased with the advent of social media in the 2000s.

From time to time old postcards of the College are sold on internet auction sites, usually for just a couple of pounds, and the Edmundian Association sometimes acquires these for the College archives if there is an interesting historical angle contained in the written message.

Charles sent his card from Ware on Thursday 22 February 1906. The cost of postage was a half penny (the equivalent of 15p today) and the postcard bears a stamp depicting the head of the reigning monarch King Edward VII. The photograph alluded to in the postcard appeared in The Edmundian magazine (pictured bottom right). The Latin play in question was Mostellaria, a comedy written by the Roman author Titus Plautus (254-184 BC). Its name translates from Latin as The Haunted House.

An abridged version of the play was performed twice: on Saturday 24 February 1906 and again two days later. The first performance was for College servants and local neighbours, and it was reported at the time that they could not understand a word of it! The second performance was for the whole school together with about forty visitors.

Charles Joseph Noakes (pictured) was the eldest of four siblings. He was born in Willesden, north west London, on 22 June 1889, and was a student at St Edmund’s between 1898 and 1906.

His younger brother Basil Henry Noakes was born on 8 July 1890 and attended the College between 1898 and 1907.

The Winnie on the postcard was their younger sister Winifred Mary Noakes, born 12 January 1892, who at the time was aged 14 and studying at New Hall School in

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Avita Pro Fide Winter 2022

In 1923, Winnie married one of Charles’s classmates, Edmond Wren, who was a student at St Edmund’s between 1902 and 1913.

They were to go on to have two daughters.

Charles did not keep in touch with the College after the early 1920s. In 1935 he married Lola Carnegie, though they were not to have any children of their own. By the time of the Second World War, Charles was a storekeeper at an aircraft factory, and an air raid patrol (ARP) warden, and was living in Sunbury-on-Thames. Little is known about the rest of his life.

• Charles Noakes died at Ashford Hospital, Middlesex, in February 1975 at the age of 85.

• Winnie Wren (née Noakes) died in Surrey in December 1969 aged 77.

Social Media Channels

Keep in contact

If you want to keep up to date with all the latest news and information from the College and Prep as well as details of any events, the best way to do that is to make sure you follow us on our social media channels.

We have detailed below what to search for on each of the platforms so we should be easy to find!

Facebook: @StEdmundsCollegeandPrep Instagram: @StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

All of our events and reunions are dependent on us having up to date contact details for our members.

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook letting us know, particularly when it is only your email that has changed, so please remember to keep us informed of any contact changes, so we can keep our records up to date and ensure you continue to hear from us!

Twitter: @StEdmundsWare and @StEdmundsPrep

Dr Alberto Piedra Alberto Martinez Piedra was born in Cuba in 1926 and came to St Edmund’s at age nine to study for two years in the prep school (then called St Hugh’s) between 1935 and 1937.

He was a government official in Cuba when Fidel Castro and the communists seized power in 1959. He was told by a friend at a critical moment that he had 24 hours to escape the country with his family, and that was all the time for which his friend could guarantee his safety. He managed to escape with his family.

Alberto was the Director of the Latin American Institute at The Catholic University of America from 1965 to 1982 and served as President Reagan’s ambassador to Guatemala between 1984 and 1987, at a very sensitive moment in history: the Central American wars of the 1980s.

He became Chairman of the Department of Economics of the Catholic University of America, where he taught the history of economic thought and business ethics, and for many years he taught at the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC. His book entitled No God, No Civilization: The New Atheism and the Fantasy of Perpetual Progress, published in 2018, depicted an aerial photograph of St Edmund’s on its front cover.

He died on 20 December 2021 at the age of 95.

May he rest in peace.

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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The Unforgettable... Steve Blake Stephen William Blake was born in Bristol on 10 November 1948 and came to the College in 1971 as an assistant Geography teacher, after attaining a BA degree at the University of London. Between 1972 and 1975, he was Assistant Housemaster of Junior House, working under Fr Michael Pinot de Moira. He is remembered visually from those early days for his flamboyant hair.

Steve Blake in 1974 The House was initially located in the top of Allen Hall in St Charles and part of St Thomas galleries. In those days conditions were fairly primitive without washing facilities in bedrooms or effective heating. Steve threw himself into the job with enthusiasm, and his natural energy and vitality produced a House spirit that was inclusive of all types of Stapletonian.

His underlying concern and compassion were never far beneath the surface despite his often stern demeanour. In fact his colleagues affectionately and ironically bestowed him the nickname “Happy Steve” because of his usually grim expression.

Steve took over as Head of Geography in 1980, following the departure of John Murphy, and he immediately established his presence. In the classroom he set the highest standards and demanded that students produce work to the best of their ability.

He had his favourite topics over the years - plate tectonics and microclimate - but he was master of the subject in all its aspects. Many students will remember the annual Rhetoric field courses to Bude in Cornwall. Steve knew the coastline of the area like the back of his hand, and even had his own personally engraved cider mug at the hotel!

Steve was long involved with sport in the College, notably with some very successful Under-14 Rugby and Cricket sides in the early 1980s, and was latterly in charge of volleyball and squash.

The year 1981 was a difficult one for Steve. In August he was involved in a very serious road accident near Colliers End. He was lucky to be alive and was hospitalised for fourteen weeks. The affairs of the House were conducted as far as possible from his hospital bed, and his recuperation was a slow and painful one. He endured physiotherapy and for some

years was never totally free from the pain which his badly damaged ankle gave him. It was typical of Steve that he was back on the sports field refereeing matches as soon as he could, even though he suffered pain and discomfort afterwards.

In 1984 Steve married Audrey Andrews, secretary to Bishop Christopher Butler who resided at the College at that time. In the summer of 1990 tragedy struck once again, as Audrey was diagnosed with lung cancer and after a very short illness died that June.

After much thought and deliberation, Steve decided to remain as Housemaster of Stapleton to oversee the transition from a mixed day/boarding House to a co-educational day House in September 1990.

During Steve’s leadership, the members of the House put up many fine teams in both sporting and cultural competitions in these years and on more than one occasion brought home the Grand Challenge Cup. Results in the Geography department during his tenure reveal a 91% pass rate at A-level - a very high rate in the country during that era which was testimony to the high standards and goals that Steve set.

Steve Blake in 2012 Between 1993 and 1995 he was Head of the Centre for Advanced Studies (CFAS), the equivalent of Head of Rhetoric today, where he acted as an overseer available to everyone, students and tutors alike. He retired from teaching in 1995.

In more recent decades he was the companion of Bridget Tasker, a former Infirmary sister; she also predeceased him, in 2017. He kept in touch with many former local students from both Stapleton and elsewhere from his base in Bishop’s Stortford.

He died suddenly of a heart attack on 25 April 2021 at the age of 72.

May he rest in peace.

2021-2022 Committee 1) President 2) President Emeritus and Archivist Treasurer 3) Alumni Officer 4) College Liason Officer 5) Representative 6) Representative 7) Representative 8) Headmaster 9) Prep Headmaster Head Boy Head Girl

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Annika Haslett-Symonds David Kay TBC Nikki King Melanie Burke Michael Mason Tim Fuller Henryk Klocek Matthew Mostyn Steven Cartwright Alex Simpson Ogorchukwu Ozor

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IWM’s War Memorials Register In September, Anna Inman (née Cox) (OE 1987-92) came into the College to record the various war memorials on site as part as a volunteering project for the Imperial War Museum (IWM).

The College is home to eight war memorials ranging from stained glass windows to plaques, commemorating over 150 Edmundians who died serving in military conflicts from the Crimean War onwards.

The IWM’s War Memorials Register is a comprehensive national register of over 90,000 UK memorials and the names of the individuals they commemorate. With no central organisation, each community chose their own design and wording, meaning that every war memorial presents a unique historical record. The project is helping to collect images of all the memorials in the country.

Here Anna is shown photographing the stone of remembrance located on the playing fields at the back of the College furthest away from school buildings, beyond the Bath Pond. These fields were newly-laid in 1955 and were known as the Memorial Fields. The plaque was added in 1962 bearing the inscription: “These Playing Fields were presented in memory of the Old Edmundians who fell in the Second World War 1939-45”.

The Edmundian 2018-2020

The Edmundian 2018 to 2020

We are delighted to share with you The Edmundian 2018-2020, as you will see this is a double edition covering two years, because Covid 19 has wrought havoc with the normal timetable of publication.

Mr Liam Woodward, Housemaster of Douglass and Head of Media Studies, has taken over as Editor. His love of Edmundia and experience in media shines through and we thank him for all his hard work creating this fantastic edition.

We are printing on demand this year due to our #PlantingNotPrinting pledge.

What is #PlantingNotPrinting?

At St Edmund’s, we are fortunate to be set in a remarkable 400 acres of green space, and we want to ensure that we are supporting rather than harming the nature around us.

During the pandemic, in particular, time in nature has been a critical factor in supporting mental wellbeing. Across the globe, we are increasingly aware of the damage that has and continues to be carried out to our environment. Equally, we are increasingly educated on the small steps that we can take to prevent it.

Therefore, we have introduced our #PlantingNotPrinting initiative. We have planted 1000 trees with help from the Woodland Trust, and we now offer a smaller, fully recyclable and eco-friendly Information Pack, with our full prospectuses available digitally.

If you would like to read The Edmundian digitally, please scan the QR code to the right or alternatively visit www.stedmundscollege.org/theedmundian-2018-2020/ To enquire about obtaining a physical copy, please email: alumni@stedmundscollege.org

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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News from the College Virtual Prize Givings

2020/2021

2021/2022

Introducing our Heads of Year 2020 and 2021 Head Girl Head Boy Deputies (Girls) Deputies (Boys) Challoner Douglass Pole Poynter Talbot Garvey’s Allen Hall

2020/2021 Lucy Edmunds Pub Songsri Ayla Huseyin & Soraya Omotosho Francis Butterworth & Edward Marshall Jasper Mattison & Chloe Shaw Nana Adjei & Maggie Taylor Caspian Plummer & Abbie Jones Ethan MacKenzie-Yapa & Emily Thomas Rory Chick & Sophia Price Ross Mina Medic Martin Cheung

2021/2022 Ogorchukwu Ozor Alex Simpson Nina Bayford & Esther Burton Will Chisholm & Simon D’Cruz Jodie Bailey Ho & Lewis Parry Georgia Davies & Madeleine Mahoney Elodie Cooper & William Taylor Alicia Chugh & Shriya Patel Louis Cutteridge & Jessica Hart Martina Giordano Petko Rusinov

Prefects

Giorgia Buraglio, Isabel Gardner, Shannon Hunt, Scarlett Mitchell, Ellie Tennant.

Both the 2020 and 2021 Speech Days took place virtually. While we were able to experience fantastic speeches, we greatly missed being able to celebrate this special day as a community. We were delighted to award the Edmundian Association Award to the following students for 2020/21: Soloman Baxi, Sophia Price Ross and Rory Chick. If you would like to watch the speeches by Mr Matthew Mostyn, please scan the QR codes.

Online learning – what was it like?

As lockdown was announced, almost two years ago, schools were suddenly sprung into a new world of online learning. We were incredibly fortunate to have an outstanding online learning provision in place to aid in a swift transition to virtual learning. Our students received their usual lessons via Zoom and then later, Microsoft Teams, and continued to be allocated time with their pastoral team, as well as having PE lessons from home and co-curricular activities, including music lessons, treasure hunts and talent shows. We also had our Key Worker School to run during this time, with children unable to stay at home joining us at the Prep and College each day. When we were able to return to in-person learning, we were faced with the challenge of mass testing. To see what this entailed, scan the QR code where Mr Matthew Mostyn talks you through our testing regime. Despite all of the challenges, St Edmund’s College and Prep is thriving.

Mr Matthew Mostyn, Headmaster, shared: “I am filled with pride at the way in which our pupils, staff and parents have weathered the storm, and come out of the ‘Year of Covid’ in even better shape than before. Catholic values sustain us and remain at the heart of all that we do; academic results have never been stronger; sport is undergoing a tremendous renaissance. Music, drama and the arts continue to thrive. And at a time when the state of the economy means that many independent schools are facing financial loss and a fall-off in pupils, somehow here at St Edmund’s, the opposite has happened. Most of all, however, it is my pleasure to report to you that the Edmundian spirit is alive and well. It seems to me that, if anything, the last two years have brought all of us – pupils, staff, alumni – even closer together and even more focused on the very positive and exciting future which lies before us.”

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Exam success Despite the tumultuous years that our students faced, we are delighted that our GCSE and A level results were excellent in 2020 and 2021. We are so proud of how our students performed, not just academically, but as role models, throughout the most challenging 18 months!

A Level results 2021 Grades A* to A Grades A* to B Grades A* to C Overall Pass Rate A* to E

60% 87% 98% 100%

GCSE results 2021 Grade 9 – 8 (A*) Grade 9 – 7 (A*- A) Grade 9 – 6 (A*- B) Grade 9 – 5 (A*- B) Grade 9 – 5 (A*- C) Grade 9 – 4 (A*- C)

@StEdmundsCollegeandPrep

44% 63% 82% 92% 92% 97%

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The following notable former teachers have passed away since our last newsletter.

In Memoriam We have learned of the deaths of the following Edmundians since our last newsletter: Jeremy Ard (Academic Staff 1988-94) died on 30 October 2021 aged 74 Canon Vincent Berry (Allen Hall 1956-62) died on 14 June 2020 aged 82 Robin Bieber (St Hugh’s & Douglass 1963-72) died on 26 October 2021 aged 68 Stephen Blake (Academic Staff 1971-96) died on 25 April 2021 aged 72 Austen Bloy (Talbot 1944-47) died on 20 August 2018 aged 87 Robert Boos (Douglass 1982-87) died in September 2020 aged 52 Frederick Bowen (St Hugh’s, Junior House & Challoner 1947-54) died on 5 February 2020 aged 82 Michael Broadbridge (Challoner 1954-54) died on 25 October 2018 aged 78 John Callaghan (Challoner 1960-66) died on 7 January 2021 aged 72 Jeremiah Coffey (Talbot 1960-65) died on 22 December 2021 aged 74 Mgr John Coghlan (Allen Hall 1955-61) died on 11 April 2020 aged 86 Fr Stephen Delany (Talbot & Allen Hall 195365) died on 6 September 2021 aged 81 Michael Fawcitt (Talbot 1963-68) died on 25 August 2020 aged 69 Joan Freyne (Academic Staff 1976-86) died on 19 December 2021 aged 94 Patrick Gallagher (Talbot 1942-47) died on 26 April 2021 aged 91 Fr Timothy Garratt (Allen Hall 1968-74) died on 13 November 2020 aged 74 Dr Adrian Gillham (Junior House & Talbot 1960-65) died on 21 January 2020 aged 71 Fr Austin Garvey (Allen Hall 1945-51; Academic Staff 1954-66) died on 3 April 2020 aged 93 Ronald Gladman (Douglass 1954-59) died on 2 November 2021 aged 80 Richard Hans (Junior House & Poynter 197381) died in August 2021 aged 59 Mrs Ann Hartfield (Infirmary Sister 2000-08) died on 12 November 2019 aged 75 Eugene Hassett (Challoner 1945-48) died on 20 July 2020 aged 89 Fr John Helm (Douglass 1950-54) died on 7 April 2020 aged 83 Michael Hernu (St Hugh’s & Talbot 1948-58) died on 14 November 2020 aged 80

Anthony Hewson (Douglass & Allen Hall 193544) died on 26 April 2020 aged 100 Jean Irwin (Academic Staff 1976-87) died on 9 February 2021 aged 80 Christopher Knight (St Hugh’s & Challoner 1951-61) died on 5 September 2020 aged 77 Mirko Kurtanjek (Douglass 1965-70) died on 16 March 2020 aged 68 William Lang (Poynter 2016-21) died on 5 September 2021 aged 15 Robert Maidment (Academic Staff 1969-70 & 1985-99) died on 26 April 2020 aged 73 James Martin (St Hugh’s & Pole 1985-95) died on 29 December 2019 aged 42 Canon Edward Matthews (Challoner 1950-55) died on 1 April 2020 aged 83 Kevin Mayhew (Douglass 1956-59) died on 14 January 2021 aged 78 Mgr Canon Frederick Miles (Douglass & Allen Hall 1939-50; Academic Staff 1953-66) died on 6 April 2020 aged 94 Fr John Miller (Allen Hall 1947-53) died on 25 October 2020 aged 97 Patrick Nuttgens (Allen Hall 1951-53) died on 27 October 2021 aged 88 Maurice O’Connell (Allen Hall 1957-61) died on 27 December 2019 aged 84 Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue (Allen Hall 196167) died on 24 January 2021 aged 86 Dr Alberto Piedra (St Hugh’s 1935-37) died on 20 December 2021 aged 95 Neville Ransley (Governor 2006-17) died on 22 May 2021 aged 76 Fr John Seabrook (Allen Hall 1971-75) died on 15 April 2020 aged 72 George Smith (Douglass 1955-57) died on 25 December 2019 aged 78 Anthony Smyth (Challoner 1955-60) died on3 February 2020 aged 78 Lynsey Sparkes (Bursarial Staff 2010-12) died in May 2021 aged 44 David Stewart (Challoner 1964-70) died on 9 April 2020 aged 67 Lionel Swain (Allen Hall 1953-59; Academic Staff 1965-72) died on 9 April 2020 aged 86 Neville Symington (Allen Hall 1958-64) died on 3 December 2019 aged 82 Fr Colin Whatling (Allen Hall 1963-69) died on 29 August 2021 age 92 May they rest in peace.

Fr Austin Garvey (1926-2020) Fr Austin Garvey trained for the priesthood in Allen Hall and then went to Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he gained an MA in Classics.

He returned to teach at St Edmund’s in 1954 and remained for 12 years, the last two years as housemaster of Talbot. His subjects were Classics, Latin, Greek and French. He coached rugby, encouraged athletics, and was involved in the school drama productions.

He died peacefully at the age of 93, having been a priest for nearly 69 years.

Mgr Frederick Miles (1925-2020) Mgr Fred Miles came to St Edmund’s as a “church boy” aged 13 and studied for the priesthood in Allen Hall. At Christ’s College, Cambridge, he attained an MA in English & History.

He returned to St Edmund’s to teach English to senior classes and Latin and French from 1953 to 1966. He was an enthusiastic rugby player and readily admitted that his two great loves were God and rugby. He coached the First XV and he also played and coached tennis, and was in the cricket team. He was housemaster of Challoner between 1960 and 1966. He maintained links with St Edmund’s through service as a Governor from 1984-89 and he served as a Patron of the Edmundian Association.

He died peacefully at home at the age of 94.

Robert Maidment (1946-2020) Bob Maidment came to teach in St Hugh’s for a year in 1969 and shortly afterwards married Katie King, the daughter of “Rex” King, former Headmaster of St Edmund’s. After working in private residential boys’ schools in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire until 1985, Bob returned with Katie to work once again at St Edmund’s, later becoming Housemaster of the prep school, a position he held until 1996.

Jean Irwin (1940-2021) Jean Irwin was the house mistress of Margaret Pole House between 1976 and 1987, spanning a period when St Edmund’s became fully coeducational. Four of her five children went to St Edmund’s and her husband Vincent also briefly taught at the College between 1976 and 1977.

Joan Freyne (1927-2021) Joan Freyne was House mistress of Margaret Pole for the summer term in 1976. She later worked solely in St Hugh’s mainly looking after the Form 1 students (the equivalent of Year 4 today). She died peacefully in a care home on at the age of 94.

The Newsletter of the Edmundian Association

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Ronald Gladman Ronald Gladman was a classmate of mine. He became my first friend in those tremulous initial days for a 14 year-old in his first experience of a boarding school. He was a great comfort to me as I struggled with settling into a place a long way from home. His bright demeanour and good humour lifted me from my gloom.

Ron was very smart and, although we were in Grammar at the start, it took less than a term for him to be elevated to Syntax and we parted as he mixed in the higher ranks.

Ron had a love of jazz music and got great enjoyment when Fr Harold Winstone, who was given to use of nick-names when he couldn’t remember a boy’s name, called him “rag-time”. It was like an introduction to a new world when he talked about jazz and its musicians. That aside he was a good and supportive friend and we linked again in Rhetoric as prefects.

Dates for your Diary Thursday 3rd March 2022 Annual London Dinner All welcome!

Save the date!

Friday 11th March 2022 College Careers Fair All welcome!

Sunday 3rd July 2022 Rhetoric leavers of 1982 (Poetry 1980 or equivalent) 40-year reunion 1982 leavers and surviving staff from the time.

All Edmundians are welcome to attend any of these events; it is important to book your place so please contact the Alumni Office for reservations or more details.

Alumni Officer - St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Herts SG111DS Telephone: 01920 824291 Email: alumni@stedmundscollege.org

Any News?

If you have some exciting news, whether it be a wedding or a birth announcement, an exciting career move or even an impromptu get together with other OEs we would love to hear about it so we can publish it in the next edition of Avita Pro Fide, please send details through to:

We lost touch after we left St Edmund's – families were widely scattered. However after I emigrated to Australia, on my periodical returns, I managed to catch up with Ron while he was working for Reuters and the senior position was clearly evident on his visiting card. It came as no surprise to see that.

Alumni Officer St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Herts SG111DS Tel: 01920 824291 alumni@stedmundscollege.org

On another occasion we linked up at an OEs dinner in London, he was a consistent supporter of the OE functions. Our last meeting was at Douai in 2018. It was as if we had seen each other only last week.

We had meals together and it was a highly enjoyable reunion. He still had a full head of hair and looked years younger than he should. Sad to know that this was to be our last meeting. My prayers for him and his bereaved family.

Tony O’Mahony, Challoner 1954-1959

Avita Pro Fide If you have some exciting news you would published in the next edition of Avita Pro Fide, please send details through to: Alumni Officer St Edmund's College, Old Hall Green, Herts SG111DS Tel: 01920 824291 alumni@stedmundscollege.org

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